Every year Rob's mom has given Ella a chocolate-filled Advent calendar to use. She graciously gave Ella another one this year, which Ella loves. I also wanted to do something different that would focus on the meaning of Christmas because I thought Ella would understand it more this year.
I came up with making a clothesline of Advent envelopes. Ella and I painted a coin envelopes and put countdown dates on them. In each one, I put a message about the Christmas story (e.g.,
Mary and Joseph rode on a donkey looking for a place to stay) or about Jesus (e.g.,
Jesus cares for all people and animals). On the back of each message, I wrote something that Ella should do (e.g.,
Find the manger in your house and name all of the people in the scene;
Bake cookies and visit/share them with an older neighbor; or
Pick out and wrap presents for kids who won't get any for Christmas this year).
The envelopes also have little treats like candy or a note to find a little present under the tree, like a cross bracelet, Christmas pencil, manger coloring book, or mini cross.
So far Ella has been looking forward to opening her envelope each morning and I am hoping that it will encourage us to focus on the religious and community spirit of Christmas.
starting to paint the envelopes
admiring her work
letting the envelopes dry
the envelopes hanging at Baba and Pappy's ready to open on the first day
standing next to the chocolate Advent calendar and our envelope line
"Can I open this one now?"
The envelopes on the clothesline in the upstairs' hallway
modeling her "ELLA" apron that Baba made for her
using the rolling pin
the cut-outs
just out of the oven
concentrating on the decorating
one of the first cookies done
yum!
finished cookies
